Crowning Glory

People regularly ask me about my (very) gray/silver hair and comment on how I seem young to have so much... I've been called "brave" for not coloring my hair and am looked upon as something of an oddity because at 44, I so little pigment left in my natural hair.  I stopped dying my hair more than a year ago now... it was a combination of changing priorities, new life expectations and (quite honestly) laziness.  Bravery had nothing to do with it.  I started "turning" when I was 23.  I really enjoyed my years as a redhead -- and being a ginger totally suited my lifestyle and world view... then.  Now, the return to a closer connection to my roots and the embracing of life, as it now & is becoming dictates my manner of outward appearance.  If you want to get down to it -- the dread locks are far, far, far braver than the gray hair... where I live and work, they are, anyway... I'm not a religious person, but I've actively sought that spiritual connection or spark that spoke to my soul.  I was born and (sort of) raised Catholic, I've studied and applied other monotheistic and more Earth-Centric and ancient forms of worship, and I've hung in that chasm between belief (of any sort) and disbelief.  I still don't have a name for what I believe... but I think I understand it a little better these days, and find comfort within its perimeters.  For lack of a better work, I refer to myself as a Deist.  A rational believer - embracing both science and the divine... and their interconnectedness. So... where does my hair play into all this?  It silver in honor of my emerging crone -- my third aspect of this life's journey.  My crone is more patient that those forms that came before, but she is also a little more selfish -- focusing on her own needs and wants for the very first time.  In my maiden form, I was energy and innocent guile and adventure and experimentation.  As a mother (which I haven't totally left yet), my need to nurture and protect outweighed any other drive.  As the (trying to become) Wise One... I plumb the depths of my own soul, what is truly important to "me" and finding that sense of deep spiritual peace that has eluded me thus far. The silver hair, and also the dreads are a departure of societal standards of beauty to that which I find beautiful, and whole and fulfilling.  The dread locks and their silver color embody a simpleness, a return to self... the inclusion of the hot pink, purple and turquoise blue extensions are my lingering maiden and need to not shun color, just for the sake of being "natural."  Make sense? Ultimately, I'm very, very happy with my silver-hued locks... to me, they feel right & express who I am at this very time during this specific journey.  Will they stay forever?  No, no likely - but, who knows?  I'm only half-way through this life... I'm a very different person than I was at half this age... I hope to be a more fully evolved and spiritually fulfilled person as my days progress. Love & Peace to all.